Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes
An incoming male passenger was sentenced to eight weeks' imprisonment and fined $1,800 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (April 10) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers intercepted the incoming 47-year-old male passenger at the Lo Wu Control Point yesterday (April 9) and seized 9 200 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $38,000 and a duty potential of about $30,000, from his personal baggage. The male passenger was subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.
Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling
Hong Kong Customs shut down an underground cigarette factory in Fanling yesterday (April 9), and seized about 31.92 tons of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco and 1.23 million sticks of suspected illicit cigarette. The total estimated market value of all seizure was about $220 million, while the duty potential was about $130 million. Six persons suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.
After in-depth investigation, Customs Officers identified a large metal hut in Ping Che, Fanling. Customs raided the metal hut yesterday morning and found a complete illegal cigarette production line which included machines for producing and packaging illicit cigarettes, a large amount of raw materials used for manufacturing illicit cigarettes and finished illicit cigarette products. Five men and one woman, aged between 21 and 52, were arrested at the scene.
The case is still under investigation. Customs will continue to trace the source of the batch of raw materials of the illicit cigarettes and the production line-related machines. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs reminds members of the public that they must be vigilant when purchasing cigarettes. They should patronise reputable merchants or stores and not purchase cigarettes from unknown sources to avoid threats to their health.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), a person shall not, except under and in accordance with a licence, manufacture tobacco. Besides, any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
